Overview

University of Southampton

The University of Southampton is among the top 15 research universities in the UK. VeRoLog 2013 is organized by the University's research center CORMSIS which is one of the largest Management Sciences, Operational Research and Information Systems groups in the UK, spanning the Schools of Mathematics and Management and including colleagues with interests in OR/MS/IS from other areas. It covers the whole spectrum of OR/MS/IS activity from theoretical mathematical developments to problem structuring and knowledge management, and has internationally-renowned expertise in the specific areas of optimisation, risk, finance and health.

The conference will be held in the Highfield Campus at the University of Southampton (please download a campus map here).

About Southampton

Southampton is one of the most vibrant towns in the South of England located 121 km southwest of London. It is a diverse city with a broad range of attractions on offer, able to suit all ages and interests.

The historic old town


Southampton’s Old Town has more hidden treasures than many other cities can boast. A place, with some unique features, that has played its part in the country's history. The iconic locations in the old town includes the 800 year old Bargate, Tudor House and Garden and Medieval Merchants House. (The registration fee includes a guided tour of  Southampton's old town - please check the registration page for details)

Museums and art galleries

Southampton is also a regional centre for the visual arts, so once you have discovered the secrets of the historic Old Town why not continue enjoying Southampton's cultural experience by visiting the city's magnificent collection of art galleries and then round your day off by relaxing at one of our premier theatres.

You may not know that Titanic sailed from Southampton. To find out more about Southampton's Titanic story, you can visit the SeaCity Museum. Solent Sky Museum is also located nearby, exhibiting an impressive array of aircraft which documents the history of aviation in the Solent and Hampshire area.

Around Southampton

Here is a list of popular sightseeing places around Southampton:

  • Winchester: the former capital of England - 10 minutes by trains
  • Isle of Wight: the largest island in UK with beautiful scenery - 30 minutes by ferries
  • New Forest: one of the national parks in UK - 25 minutes by trains
  • Salisbury: a historic city with world heritage site Stonehenge - 50 minutes by trains (the registration fee includes an afternoon visit to Stonehenge and Salisbury - please check the registration page for details)
Travelling to UK

International airports:

  • London Heathrow: If you are flying into Heathrow airport, you can take direct coaches. The whole journey takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes. Some coaches stop at the Southampton University Interchange bus station, which is within walking distance of the University accommodation booked through us.
  • London Gatwick: If you are flying into Gatwick airport, the train is the quickest route to Southampton. Direct trains to Southampton Central Station take approximately 2 hours (although on Sundays one change of train at Clapham Junction or Havant is necessary). There is also a direct coach service to Southampton Coach Station which takes about 3 hours.
  • London Luton/London Stansted/London City: You can take coaches or trains. The whole journey takes more than 3 hours. 
  • Southampton airport: Southampton International Airport is about 10 minutes away from Highfield Campus by bus (Uni-link) or taxi (off Junction 5 of the M27). There is a full UK domestic service. A taxi should cost no more than £10.
  • Bournemouth airport: If you are flying into Bournemouth airport, you can take coaches. The whole journey takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes.
  • Birmingham airport: You can take trains. The whole journey takes about 3 hours.
  • Bristol airport: You can take trains. The whole journey takes slightly over 3 hours.
Note that train and coach tickets are often much cheaper if booked online a few weeks in advance of the journey.

 

Apart from a coach or trains, if you are travelling with a group of people, you can also hire a taxi. Below is the estimated one-way cost for hiring a taxi (a 4 passenger car; there are other vehicles available, please check the company English Rose's website from here) between different airports and Southampton:

  • London Heathrow - £82 incl parking - 1 hour 15 minutes
  • London Gatwick - £84 incl parking - 1 hour 40 minutes
  • London Luton - £116.5 incl parking- 2 hour
  • London Stansted - £146 incl parking- 2 hour 30 minutes
  • London City - £131.4 incl parking- 2 hour 30 minutes
  • Southampton airport - £34 incl parking- 15 minutes
  • Bournemouth airport - £56 incl parking- 1 hour

For participants who require a visa invitation letter, please send your request along with your official address to: VeRoLog2013@soton.ac.uk . Please note that it takes a minimum of one week for us to issue the letter.

Travelling within UK

By car:

Southampton is 75 miles (120km) from London. The M3, M27 and A34 provide fast, direct access while the A36 is the main route to the West Country, Bristol and Wales.

From the M3 – exit at Junction 14, following signs for Southampton (A33). Follow the A33 into Bassett Avenue and follow the map/signs to the University Campus.

From the M27 (west or east) – leave the M27 at Junction 5 (Southampton Airport) and follow the A35 into Burgess Road.  Follow the map/signs to the University Campus.

By train

Trains run from London Waterloo Station to Southampton every 30 minutes, with a journey time of 1 hour 10 minutes. There are two stations in Southampton – Southampton Central and Southampton Airport Parkway – the closest to the University being Airport Parkway which is about 2 miles away. Train times and prices can be found at http://www.thetrainline.com/.

By coach:

National Express provides regular services from central London, Heathrow, Birmingham, Bournemouth and the North. Southampton coach station is at Western Esplanade, in the city centre, although some coaches stop at the University. Uni-link buses connect the city centre to Highfield Campus, or you can take a taxi.

Travelling within Southampton

Uni-link bus service

A bus service called Uni-link operates between the University and surrounding area. The conference registration fee includes a three-day Uni-link travel card. A full bus timetable will be available in the welcome pack you will receive at registration and is also available: http://www.unilinkbus.co.uk/

By taxi

There are taxi ranks throughout the City Centre and immediately adjacent to the main railway, coach station and airport. From the City Centre, the journey to the University takes about 15 minutes. The average cost is about £10.

  • Radio taxis : 023 8066 6666
  • Streamline Taxis : 023 8022 3355
  • Phipps Taxis : 0700 444 4444